Fairfield police arrested an 18-year-old man Thursday morning after authorities say he bit off the nose of his infant son during a fit of frustration from the child's crying.

Joshua Cooper was booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of child cruelty and aggravated mayhem as a result of the investigation, which began shortly after 8 a.m., Sgt. Troy Oviatt with the Fairfield Police Department Major Crimes Unit said during a press briefing Thursday night.

Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 1000 block of Alaska Avenue after receiving a frantic 911 call from the child's mother, whom Oviatt said was "screaming hysterically" that her infant son was bleeding from the nose, Oviatt said.

When officers arrived at the apartment, they found the 1-month-old bleeding from the face. Inside the bedroom, they made a grisly discovery, finding the tip of the infant's nose on the carpet, Oviatt said. The discovery launched the criminal investigation that ultimately led to Cooper's arrest several hours later.

Cooper, the baby's 17-year-old mother, and numerous other family members were present when police arrived, Oviatt said, but no one other than Cooper was believed to have been in the bedroom when the attack took place.

The infant was initially taken by ambulance to North Bay Medical Center for treatment, Oviatt said. In addition to confirming that the child's nose had been severed, doctors at North Bay determined the infant had possible head trauma, Oviatt said.

As a result, the infant was transferred to Children's Hospital in Oakland, where doctors determined he had suffered a skull fracture, a brain hemorrhage and that one third of the baby's nose had been severed. The child was listed in stable condition.

The severed nose was taken to the hospital with the child; however, Oviatt said he was unsure whether doctors were able to reattach it.

During their investigation, police learned that Cooper and the child were alone together in a bedroom when the "gruesome" attack occurred. According to Oviatt, the child's mother stepped out of the room and had been gone only minutes when Cooper came out of the room carrying the baby with his face bloodied.

The mother immediately called police.

Oviatt said Cooper was "responsive to police" during their investigation and appeared to be "remorseful," asking after the well-being of his son, wife and other family members.

According to Oviatt, Cooper does not have a criminal history with Fairfield police as an adult; however, said he could not comment on a juvenile record.

Cooper allegedly admitted biting the infant, but gave no explanation as to why, "other than saying he was frustrated with the baby's crying," Oviatt said.

The investigation continues to determine how the infant suffered the skull fracture and brain hemorrhage.

There were no signs of alcohol or drug use at the scene, Oviatt said. Cooper's blood was drawn for a toxicology panel, but Oviatt was unsure when the results will be known.

"I have never seen something like this before," Oviatt said.

Cooper is currently being held on $750,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Fairfield Police Department's Major Crimes Unit at 428-7600, the 24-hour tip line at 428-7345 or Solano Crime Stoppers at 644-7867.

Fairfield police offer several classes that focus specifically on parenting skills, including one that includes a presentation on the dangerous and potentially deadly effects of shaking a baby and focuses on how to cope with inconsolable children.

For information on the class, call Sgt. Matt Thomas at 428-7354.

The department also offers the Parent Project, which helps parents deal with challenging teens. For information, contact Patricia Magallon at 428-7327.